I've had a 2021 Heritage Classic that was my favorite bike I've ever had. However, my only experience with HD on bikes BEFORE that era is my 08 Sportster I had for 8 yrs.

My question is, does anyone have a comparison between the 05-09 era Heritages and the M8 Heritages? (Ride comfort, handling, power on highways, etc.)

I was sold on the M8s due to the talk about the new frame, smoother engine, etc. I don't like the throttle by wire or key fobs (personal preference). But the handling and comfort were GREAT. I'm not a horsepower number chaser, so any cruiser bigger than 1000ccs is fine for me, so I'm not as concerned about "power/speed" vs the M8s, mainly just did the older ones with 5 gears still have enough power at highway speeds to be sufficient?

I got rid of my Heritage awhile back for financial reasons, but now I'm back in the position for another one, and could afford a brand new one. Problem is, while the new ones are good, I wouldn't mind chasing down a Springer version (especially for the lower cost), or some of the older versions that had better color options than the current ones. I just don't know if I'd be sacrificing significant handling, comfort, and power attributes for an older bike's style. Any input is appreciated.

 

My 2009 ----




My 2022 ----




Everything about my 2009 was good. Everything about my 2022 is better.

 

Hmm, well, that may do it lol.

 

The M8's run a lot cooler than the twin cams

 

I had an '07 Heritage I loved. But, yes I felt a little overwhelmed on the Interstate. The 2020 Heritage I have now with the sixth gear does make a big difference. I'm a king of the road now, comfy at any speed. I couldn't go back to a five-speed, although I do have a sportster too, but I rarely ride that on the Interstate.

 

I can add my two cents for what it's worth.

My Wife: She had an 09 Sportster 1200 Custom as her first bike. She was a beauty (the bike, wife is still around LOL). Dark blue. Lots of chrome. But as she got into her 50s, she found the bike uncomfortable, and she realized she was riding on the bike rather than in the bike. She traded for a 21 Heritage. She looked at and rode some pre-2018. They are heavy, have a hard seat and just seem like a lot of work to handle. The 2018+ have a lower center of gravity and very easy to handle. Of course, going down the road but especially in parking lots and on hills. Note: Th epics below is the dealer pic. She has since replaced the bars, added an engine guard and done most of the Willie G hand and foot accessories.

Me: I had (still have actually) an 02 Wide Glide. She is gorgeous and even after 22 years, looks new. Lots of chrome. Great sound. A true old school bike. However, in my late 50s, I was finding that bike makes me tired and uncomfortable after about 80 miles. So I started doing my research on a new bike. Internet, test rides, demos. I tried the RK and FB primarily. I do not want or need all the bells and whistles of the Glides. I just found also the Heritage was leaps and bounds the perfect bike for me. In spite of being the same basic bike as my wife, she is definitely different. See pics below. The WG is my daily "bar hopper" I will take it out for the day where I do not need to add or undo layers of clothing or do any shopping since the roll bag is limited in space. But I like the look.

Personally, I like the Heritage because it gets me down the road comfortably and quickly, I can handle it easily in parking lots, on hills, curves etc. But most of all I now have saddlebag storage and I can ride all day for hundreds of miles with no soreness. In March I am having the seats redone with new coverings, custom stitching and padding. That will take it to the next level. Next year if I can afford it I will do a new cam and headers to take the sound to the next level. Speaking of, that is about the only shortcoming of the M8's is the sound. For most I would say, overall, it is probably not the "perfect" bike right out of the showroom. But with a few years of mods (grips, LEDs, bars, exhaust, engine guard, cosmetics), I am really excited about what this bike will be in a few years!

Hope that helps!

 

As I stated I have the old WG which is a 5-speed. It does well on the mountains since it has plenty of torque and in some ways is better than the Heritage for that. I can do a day of riding with no issues. The brakes are soft and the shifting is a little clunky. It is what it is. And yes, in all fairness it screams on the highway and that's when I wish I had a 6th gear.

Overall, my 19 Heritage "solves" all that. That said, I am VERY glad I kept the WG to tool around locally, make noise and enjoy what an old school motorcycle is all about. Best of both worlds if you will.

 

Good info. I actually got a 2019 Streetbob before the Heritage. I went into the dealership for a Dyna, not knowing about all the M8 changes. Sales guy said he'd sell me a Dyna but it was like $12k, he wanted me to try the new bikes. I got out of there on a Streetbob for $15k. So about $3k difference. Now though, I'm looking at a new Heritage for $20k+, but I'm finding some really cool older Heritages for around $9k. So we're talking double the cost now. So what I'm weighing is, are the new improvements worth the extra cash. It seems your comparisons between older and new are showing the current Heritages really have upped their game in terms of handling, comfort, and highway capabilities. And I did own a 2021 Heritage for about a year and it was GREAT, literally my favorite bike I've had, but I just have no experience with the older ones.

I have another bike right now, a little Royal Enfield Classic 350, so if I want to putt around on something old school I have a bike that scratches that itch really well. Maybe it'd be best, for my bigger "main" bike, to carry the current improvements if they're that significant. The last thing I want is to drop $9k and then find out the bike under-performs and end up spending the other $10k anyways. I'd rather do it all when I have it.

Thanks again!

 

I can remember the 5 speed bikes, and had a 2000 Electra Glide. It could do the 80 mph speed limits that we have out here in the West, but not for long. That little 5 gallon tank was only good for about 100 miles. My 22 Heritage can run 90 all day and still get 175 ish miles on a tank of gas. And the bonus is that it won't blow oil everywhere 🤣

 

Had a very nice 2013 Heritage Stage 2 (I was fostering for a time) that I rode quite often @ same time my daily rider was a 2018 Heritage Stage 1.

The 2013 Heritage reminded me much more of my old school bikes and I truly loved the old school feeling such as my old Evos, Shovels and 1 Pan that I still have. The Twincam 103" HD torque cam Stage 2 ran her *** off, but still lacked compared to the M8 107" Stage 1.

The 2018 Softail M8 is just a whole next level as far as ride and power, as it shed a lot of weight and suspension jumped up there with the touring bikes. Last but definitely not least the M8 improved power and fuel mileage.
Yes it was missing the Harley idle and just a cam would have fixed that and even bring on more power, but I swapped her for a Stage 4 128" 2019 Roadking daily rider before I got a chance to cam her.

But being old school I would be torn between choosing between a 2017 and a 2018 Heritage (when they changed over) as it is just the older feeling myself that draws me. Although better over all is DEFINITELY the +2018.

Talk about being a flip flop😂